Arthur Moore of St. John’s, Lewis Kelly and Oswald Bursey, of Clarenville, and William Butt, of Norris Arm, lost their lives by drowning at Grand Falls, through accidental lowering of the scale board, while crossing the Exploits River.

October 8, 1907

DEATH

Capt. Messervey, one of the first settlers of Bay of Islands, passes away at the age of 78 years.

October 10, 1907

MARTIN BROTHERS ESTATE

Meeting creditors Martin Brothers, T. Winter appointed to wind up the estate.

October 10, 1907

DEATH

Edward chafe, aged 80 of Petty Harbor, gets astray while in the woods and loses his life.

October 10, 1907

NEW CHURCH

New church Wesleyville opened.

October 11, 1907

SS LUSITANIA

S.S. Lusitania arrived at New York flying the blue ribbon of the sea, having made three records while crossing the ocean in 4 days, 19 hours, 53 minutes.

October 14, 1907

SHIPWRECK

Schooner Alma of Scilly Cove, reported lost on Triton Island, with crew of six men – Capt George Piercy, Arthur Piercy, William J Andrews, Henry Pitcher, John Coats, William Brandon.

There are queer superstitions connected with the celebration of New Year’s Day, but they are not much known or observed in America, where the first day of the year passes like any other, save for the current expression of good wishes. “Ex-Attache “ related, that in the Ancient Church of St. Michael at Schwariz in the Tyol, the sacred edifice is invariably kept securely closed on the evening before the New Year, and the people of the district are firmly convinced that on these occasions, when no one is present, an immense toad comes crawling before the Altar, where it kneels and prays, weeping bitterly. No one ever hurts a toad in the Tyrol, for the population is imbued with the belief that toads are, for the most part, good Christians, who have made vows to go on pilgrimages, and who have died without fulfilling their obligations in this respect. So the creatures go hopping about bewildered and perplexed, trying to fine their way to shrines, which perhaps, have long ceased to exist. It will strike the humane that this is a good idea, since it prevents much cruelty to despised lowly toads. It is to be wished that some other legends as good as this, might animate the prosaic world of today, and keep it from showing unkindness to dumb animals. — Exchange.

THE NEW YEAR

Let us walk softly friend,
For strange paths lie before us, all untrod,
The new year, spotless from the hand of God,

Is thine and mine, O friend!
Let us walk straightly, friend,
Forget the crooked paths behind us now,
Press on with steadier purpose us on our brow,

To better deeds, O friend.
Let us walk gladly, friend,
Perchance some greater good than we have known
Is waiting for us, or some fair hope flown

Shall yet return, O friend!
Let us walk humbly, friend,
Sight not the heartease blooming round out feet,
The laurel blossoms are not half so sweet

Or lightly gathered, friend.
Let us walk kindly, friend.
We cannot tell how long this life overpast;
How soon these precious years be overpast,

Let love walk with us, friend.
Let us walk quickly friend.
Work with our might while lasts our little stay,
And help some halting comrade on the way.
And may God guide us, friend!.

—Exchange

THE PASSING OF THE YEAR

On the threshold paused the grey Old Year,
E’er he sped on his long, long flight.
And the parting words he sadly spoke
Were caught by the listening night.

“I did my work as well as I could,
But alas! many flaws crept in.
There were so many unseen foes to fight,
And so many wreaths to win.

Alack that the fates may not permit
Me another year to reign.
So many things were mine had I
But my chances o’er again.

But time once spent forever is gone,
And my passing time is near.
When I must yield my transient throne
To yonder glad New Year”

Then he took a scroll from his vestment grey,
And said to the youthful King,
“Take this, my experience — use it well,
And prosperity it will bring.”

Then sadly, the Old Year said “Good Bye”
The last word he would speak —
And as he passed, a shining tear
Trickled slowly down each cheek.

He bore his burden of months away,
Full heavy with weal and woe,
He bore them away to the far Cloud Land,
Wither each Old Year must go.

And the Young Year fell on his knees and prayed:
“O Time! Thou monarch of king’s,
Teach me to prize every feathery hour
That falls from thy ceaseless wings.

Let not one moment escape its use,
Throughout my fast-fleeting reign;
So let me say at my passing time.
My life is not lived in vain.”